Electric-arc lamp



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

M. s. OKUN. ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

M 6 0 9 k o m m W 1 E m WM e M n M M. L J M w t n e t a P WITNESSES.

ANDREW B GRAHAr LPHOYO Lnnu WASHIMGTGPI DC (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. s. OKUN. ELEG-TRICIARG LAMP.

Patented June 16, 1896.

W/TNESSES: Mme/v70? Ma W (ax/M A TTOHNE).

ANDREW a GRAHAM PHOTO umc "VASWNGTOH DC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MOSES SOLOMON OKUN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO MICHAEL F. BURNS, OFBROOKLYN, NE\V YORK.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,090, dated June 16,1896. Application filed April 3, 1892. Renewed December 6, 1893. SerialNo. 492,946. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MOSES SOLOMON OKUN, a resident of New York, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Electric-Arc Lamps, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to retard or reduce to an inappreciableextent the con sumption of the carbon pencils or rods in electric-arclamps.

Another object is to improve the carbonfeeding mechanism of arc-lamps,so that a more uniform, positive, and regular feeding of the carbon cantake place.

The invention consists in the novel details of improvement that will bemore fullyhereinafter set forth, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming parthereof, wherein Figure 1 is a partly broken side elevation of anarc-lamp embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalsectional view of a lamp embodying my invention, showing my improvedcarbon-feeding mechanism. Fig. 3

is a horizontal section, enlarged, on the plane of the line 0 c, Fig. 2.Fig. etis a similar view on the plane of the line 7; 7;, Fig. 2; andFig. 5 is a sectional detail view hereinafter ex plained.

In carrying out my invention I utilize a globe or other chamber A, whichis hermetically closed (or as nearly so as is possible) to prevent theadmission of air. Vithin the globe or chamber A are placed carbon orsimilar pencils or rods 13, by which to produce the electric arc inmanner well known. These carbon pencils may be supplied with theelectric current to produce the arc in any manner desired. To the globeor chamber A is connected a valve-cock or its equivalent D, so arrangedas to permit the escape from the globe or chamber A of gases, but toprevent or retard the admission of air. In the drawings the valve D isshown pressed to its seat I) by a spring a, but anysuitable means may beused for this purpose.

The carbon or carbons B may be operated or fed to produce the are ormaintain it while the current passes in any desired manner;

but as the carbon, according to my invention, consumes or disintegratesvery slowly it is feasible to actuate the carbon B by hand. Anarrangement for this purpose is shown in Fig. 1, wherein the open end orneck (Z of the globe A is closed by a disk or the like 6, which is shownconnected with a ring or mounting f, securely fastened (airtight) to theneck (Z or the globe A. Through the disk c a carboncarrying rod Epasses, said rod being shown screw-threaded to engage similar threads inthe disk 6 to enable the carbon 13 to be adjusted longitudinally. Thedisk c may be made removable to enable the carbon 13 to be reached.

The neck 61 of the globe or chamberA also has or may be a ring ormounting f secured air-tight thereto, to which is shown screwed a cup orframe F, that carries the seat I) for the valve D, as well as the valve;but the lower end of the globe A may be closed in any well-known manner.The lower-carbon holder 13 is shown carried by the frame F, a bar Fbeing shown supporting the carbonholder B space being left on the sidesfor the passage of air or gas to the valve D. In Fig. 1 one binding-postg is shown connected with the disk 6 and the other post with the ring ormountingf so that the current can enter the disk c from post 9, passthence to the rod E, to the upper carbon 13, thence to the lower carbonB,to B f and g to the line.

In the operation of my invention the carbons are placed in position andthe globe is then tightly closed to prevent the admission of air. Theelectric current is next passed through the carbons B B, the latterbeing then separated to produce the electric arc. The burning carbon orthe products of combustion therefrom next unite with the oxygen in theair contained in the globe A, and generate or produce acombustiondestroying gas, such as carbonic-acid gas or carbonic oxid,leaving the nitrogen of the air in the globe. The presence of thiscombustion-destroying gas or carbonic-acid gas or carbonic oxid and theabsence of oxygen or combustion-supporting gas, which has beeneliminated by uniting with the carbon, reduces or retards thecombustion, consumption or disintegration of the carbons B, while theelectric arc continues between the carbons, said gases having noinjurious effect on the electric arc. The carbons B will be heated, buton account of the presence of the combustion-destroying gas and theabsence of combustion-supporting gas their consumption, ordisintegration will be reduced to so inappreciable an extent that willbe quickly converted into carbonic-acid.

gas by the burning of a little carbon; but the presence of the gas inthe globe, and its tension, will tend to check the entrance of air. Asthe carbons consume or disintegrate so slowly under the foregoing methodfeeding of the carbons is required only at comparatively long intervals,whereby it is possible to use hand-fed carbons and yet producesatisfactory results; or any of the well-known carbon-feeding mechanismsin general use can be utilized. After the light is turned ed the gasgenerated, as stated, will remain in the globe or chamber to retard theconsumption of the carbon when the are is next formed. lVhen the are isfirst formed after the globe is closed, a small amount of the carbonwill be burned to unite with the oxygen of the air and produce thecarbonic-acid gas, but after this the wasting of the carbon will beexceedingly slow until the next fresh air, if any, enters the globe.After the carbons have been consumed the globe will be opened and newcarbons adjusted in place; but as fresh air will necessarily enter theglobe when this is done the slight burningout of carbon and formation ofnew carbonic-acid gas will have to be againeffected with the new carbonsand oxygen of the admitted air.

On account of theinfrequent feeding of the carbon,.caused by its slowconsumption, the steadiness of the light is greatly increased, or, inother words, the flickering of the arc-light heretofore-in general useis reduced to such an extent that the light becomes practically steady.

Although almost any, if not all, of the wellknown earbon-feedin gdevices can be adapted for use in connection with my invention, I haveshown an improved carbon feeding mechanism giving useful results.

The globe or chamber A in Fig. 2 is connected with a closed tube orchamber G, that is to be hermetically closed, yet in communication witha globe A, as shown, so that the carbon-holding rod E will be whollywithin this closed receptacle to give it free movement withoutadmit-ting air to the globe; but in Fig. 5 the rod E is shown passingthrough the disk 6 011 the globe A, suitable packing c being shown heldbetween the disk 6 and a packing nut or ring 6 to prevent the admissionof air to the globe, although the packing may be dispensed with. It willbe understood, however, that the upper carbon can pass through theclosely-fitting opening in the cover or disk on the globe instead of thecar" bon-carrying rod E for the purpose of feed ing the carbon in theglobe.

The chamber G, for convenience in ad j usting the carbon B, is shownconnected with the globe A by a tube G'-, that is screwed to the ring ormounting f, its upper end connecting with a thimble or tube G (being anextension or part of the chamber G) and preferably sliding within thesame. A packing ring or nut G on the extension G containing suitablepacking g, effects an air-tight yet detachable joint between the parts Gl By this means the tube G can be unscrewed from the globe A and slippedupward to permit access to the rod E and carbon 13, and can be readilyreplaced and a tight joint made.

I I are coil magnets or solenoids arranged substantially as usual foractuating the carbon rod holders, the coil I having coarse wires and thecoil I having fine wires, and being coupled in manner well known or asfollows: The current entering by a wire l passes into a binding-post t(preferably insulated from the chamber or casing G) and from thence intothe coil 1, whence it passes by a wire i to a post i. From a wire tleads t0 the coil I from whence a wire 1 leads to a post J on thechamber or casing G and preferablyinsulated therefrom. The current isdivided by this means, as usual. In each coil I I is or may be an ironring 1 which attracts the levers L L, that are magnetized by the currentof the spools, as hereinafter described. The rod E is shown passingwithin the coils I 1 whose bores are alined, and within the bores ofsaid coils levers or arms L L are placed to be actuated by the coils toregulate the movement of the carbon-holding rod E. The levers L Lcorrespond substantially with solenoid-cores.

The levers or arms L L preferably carry projections'or shoes M M to gripor clasp the carbon-rod E and yet allow lateral swinging movement of thelevers or arms L L. The levers or arms L L are pivotally carried by abar or lever N, that is shown pivoted within the casing G, as at j, to ahanger O, that is preferably jointed, as at Z. A spring on may be usedto assist in balancing or counterweighting the lever N. Springs m1,carried by the lever N, tend to press the shoes or projections M againstthe rod E to make perfect electrical contact. The lever N, and therebythe levers or arms L, can be regulated vertically by a cam or equivalentmeans 1), (say a screw.)

The binding-post t is preferably connected with the hanger 0, so thatthe main current can pass into 0, from thence into N, to L L, to M M,into the rod E to the carbons. The lower-carbon holder 13 and its bar Fare electrically connected with the ring or mounting; f which isconnected to the frame P, shown joined to the chamber G, but in sulatedtherefrom. A binding-post P on the frame P is shown connected by a wireP with post J, whereby the current passes from B to the lever; but themanner of connecting the wires and posts for conducting the cur rent tothe carbons can be arranged as may be found most convenient.

The operation of the foregoing parts in feeding the carbon B is asfollows: IVhen no current is passing, the lever N will descend slightlyto permit the carbons B B to touch, as shown. When the current is turnedon, it magnetizes the levers L L and lifts them and the carbon-holdin grod E. The coils I I also act to swing the ends of the levers L Loutwardly; but as the coil I has the greater force it will press theprojections or shoes M M against the carbon-holding rod E to hold orsupport the carbon. As the arc lengthens the magnetic action in I I willdecrease, as usual, whereupon the pressure of the shoes M M upon the rodIE will lessen to enable the latter to descend. IV hen the proper are isnext formed, the coils I I will immediately move the levers L L andpress the shoes M M firmly upon the rod E to hold it. As the shoes M Mare always in contact with the rod E no appreciable motion of the shoesis neccssary to release or hold the rod E, merely the change of pressurepermitting the motion of rod E. By this means a very fine and quickadjustment of the rod E is effected, and the liability of its slippingtoo far to break the are or permit the carbons B B to touch is reducedor overcome, whereby a comparatively steady arc is produced.

\Vhen the lamp is used on are or high-tension circuits, the magnetism ofcoil I on the levers L L tends to equalize the effect of coil I on thelovers L L, whereby a very fine positive action is produced and slippingof the carbon-rod E avoided. lVhen the lamp is used on incandescent orlow-tension circuits, the coil I can be cut out or wholly dispensedwith, as the coil I will be sufficient. The iron rings 1 in the coils II becoming charged tend to attract the magnetized levers L L, (which arepreferably made of iron,) said levers also tending to separate onaccount of the repulsion of similar poles of the magnets. Uoils withoutsaid rings can be used, if desired.

The foregoing carbon-feeding mechanism will be found very useful with mybefore-described method of reducing the consumption or combustion of thecarbon, as my improve ments together produce a very steady light and onenot subject to frequent changes in brilliance.

It will'be noticed that the feeding mechanism for the carbon is whollywithin a closed chamber, well as the carbons, which tends to overcomethe danger of air reaching the carbons 011 account of the necessarymovement of the carbons for feeding purposes.

By adjusting the part 1) the vertical movement of the levers L L can beregulated, as de-" scribed. The manner of arranging the wires and otherparts can be changed as may seem most desirable.

Any suitable switch, cut-out, or other safety devices can be used inconnection with my improvements, as may be most desirable.

The valve may be situated at any suitable point in direct anduninterrupted communication with the globe and not necessarily at thebottom of the globe or chamber A.

Any suitable means maybe provided to permit access to the chamber G,such, forinstance, as an opening closed air-tight by a door or cover G,(see Fig. 3,) suitably held to the casing or chamber G.

Any desired means can be employed to permit the rod E to slide withoutadmitting air to the globe.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A globe havingits upper end closed from the outside air, and a carbon-holding rod E,combined with a mounting f at the lower end of the globe, a frame F, acarbon-holder B adapted to permit gases to pass to said frame and avalve connected with said frame substantially as described.

2. The combination of a globe closed at the lower end, a valve connectedwith the globe, neck (1, on the globe, ring or mounting f, sealed tosaid globe or neck, tube G connected with the mountingf, a closed chamber G, having extension G, with which the tube G connects packing-nut G,and packing to make a tight joint between G and G a carbon-holding rodE, passing within said globe and chamber and carbon regulating orfeeding mechanism, substantially as described.

In an electric-arc lamp a magnet-coil having a central bore, and acarbon-holding rod passing therein, combined with levers L, L, to gripsaid rod, and extending within said bore and substantially parallel withthe carhon-holding rod and with a lever N to which the levers L, L, arepivoted for supporting said lovers to permit the coil'to attract andmove said levers longitudinally and also laterally on their pivots,substantially as described.

4. In an electric-arc lamp a magnet-coil having a central bore, and acarbon-holding rod passing therein, combined with levers L, L, to gripsaid rod, and extending within the bore a lever N, to which the leversL, L, are pivoted, and means for regulating the movement of the lever N,substantially as described.

5. In an electricarc lamp the combination of a magnet-coil having acentral bore, a carbon-holding rod E, therein, levers L, L, to grip saidrod and also extending within said IIO magnet, a lever N, to which thelevers L, L, are pivoted, a hanger O, to which the lever N is pivotedajoint, as Z, in said hanger, the

levers L, L, being adapted to be placed in electrical connection withthe main line to conduct current to rod E, and means to regulate themovement of the lever N, substantially.

at a point between said magnets, shoes or projections on said levers tobear on said rod E, and means for supporting the lovers L, L, andpermitting lateral movement on the pivots by the attraction of themagnets, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a magnet-coil, having an iron ring 1 and a centralbore, with a carbon holding rod and levers or arms Within said bore, tohold said rod, substanti ally as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 2d day of April, A. D. 1892.

MOSES SOLOMON OKUN.

Witnesses:

IRVING HOWARD BROWN, WM. S. TISDALE;

